Four NC state basketball champions were crowned Saturday. Who won? Scores, recaps
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NCHSAA schedules eight boys and eight girls state title games Saturday at Joel Coliseum.
- Charlotte Observer provides daily live coverage and updates across all classifications.
- Final four champions will be decided Saturday after 12 titles were already awarded.
The NC High School Athletic Association concluded its state championships Saturday night when Southern Durham beat Mooresville to win its first N.C. title.
From Wednesday to Saturday, the NCHSAA hosted 16 championship games — eight boys’ games and eight girls’ games.
This was double the number than in recent years and, counting private schools, gave North Carolina 24 state champions among about 550 schools.
All of the NCHSAA state finals were played at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem.
Scroll down to get scores and coverage, beginning with Saturday’s state finals.
5A GIRLS: North Lincoln outlasts Southeast Alamance
North Lincoln is a state champion for the first time.
After forfeiting 17 games just before the playoff began, the Knights beat reigning N.C. state champion Southeast Alamance, 59-56.
It was the first state title won by a Lincoln County girls’ basketball team since East Lincoln went 29-0 and won the title in 1973.
5A BOYS: Hunter Huss rolls to first state title in 15 years
Hunter Huss sophomore point guard Jaleel Smith had 41 points to lead Hunter Huss to an 103-69 win over Fike in the 5A final.
Hunter Huss won its first state title since 2011 and finished the season at 26-2. It was Hunter Huss’ fourth state title. The Huskies also won in 1977, 1985 and 2011.
7A GIRLS: North Mecklenburg rolls past Southern Durham
North Mecklenburg won its first N.C. girls’ basketball state championship since 1986, blitzing Southern Durham in the 7A finals.
North Mecklenburg (28-2) won 65-38 with former great Andrea Stinson sitting in the stands. Stinson led North Meck to a 61-54 win over Fayetteville’s Pine Forest 40 years ago, scoring 35 points, nine steals and six rebounds.
Saturday, this year’s Vikings star, Lenise Joseph, had 21 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks and two steals. Teammate Stephanie Knox had 19 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
7A BOYS: Southern Durham tops Mooresville, wins first NC state title
A late spurt helped give Southern Durham a 54-47 win over Mooresville in the NC 7A state final.
Southern Durham won the first boys’ basketball state championship in school history, led by sophomore point guard and championship MVP AJMorman, who had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Southern Durham won despite being outrebounded 35-33 and turning the ball over 18 times, compared to 11 for Mooresville. Southern Durham held Mooresville to 33 percent shooting, including just 3 of 16 from 3-point range.
Friday’s results
3A girls: Goldsboro 54, East Surry 46
4A girls: Maiden 44, Fairmont 39
3A boys: Kinston 80, Walkertown 54
4A boys: Salisbury 83, Reidsville 68
Thursday’s results
2A boys: Queen’s Grant 77, Warren County 43
6A girls: Northern Guilford 62, Terry Sanford 52
2A girls: Cherokee 76, Pamlico County 15
6A boys: Northern Nash 61, Kings Mountain 60
Wednesday’s results
1A boys: Vance Charter 79, Thomas Jefferson 54
1A girls: Wilson Prep 58, Robbinsville 44
8A boys: West Charlotte 70, Hoggard 68
8A girls: Mallard Creek 49, Hoggard 45
This story was originally published March 14, 2026 at 10:39 AM.
